Text, Scratch, Fish!

In the past few weeks I have heard that there have been government studies on some topics. People spent a lot of money and a lot of time to get the findings of these studies. They were likely passionate about their work.

Here is one that I can't believe the government spent money on. My first graders could have answered this for them and we wouldn't have charged half as much as was spent! There was a study recently published that it is dangerous to text message while driving. Seriously. Money and man hours went into deciding that if a person behind the wheel of a moving car is using their hands to type into a small keyboard and averts their eyes from the road in order to read the messages, then it is dangerous!

The second one that I still can't wrap my brain around is that there was a study to find out
why people reach for an itch and scratch it. It must be important. Why else would they study it? But, I don't see the importance. Though thinking of it too much does make my brain itch!

And lastly, I heard about this one several years ago and it still makes me shake my head. In fact, I often ask my students what they think of this and why it might be important. Be ready, you may want to write this down.

A goldfish has a 3 second memory.

The first graders and I always have the same two questions.

1. What does a goldfish have to remember?
2. Who cares how long it takes?

When I am in a deep and philosophical mood, studies and research like this makes me evaluate what I spend my brain power on. Then I evaluate how I spend my other resources. My time, my money, my spiritual expressions, my friendships and my faith.

When I pray, is it sincere and necessary or am I just filling the prayer requirement and coming up with empty information? It is good to pray. I fully believe we should pray concerning our biggest problems and out smallest joys. Everything is important to God. But when I know that I need to pray but my mind and heart are distracted, then is that using my communication with God to its fullest? I sometimes pray with my eyes open (you would too if you taught first grade!)! I pray while driving, while singing in the car and while hearing of the needs of people. But that doesn't mean I am always seeking God as I should. I have to check myself constantly.

Whenever I pray I can always think of one more thing. In my humanness I want to spend more time praying for my family and friends and people in my life. When I see a request on the church prayer list for someone's mother's neighbor's uncle I do not put as much time and effort into the prayer. I still pray but it is more superficial in my mind than for the needs I feel connected to. I am not sure if this is right or wrong, but it is what I do. Then I evaluate.

Prayer is a gift. It is powerful but it is not a wish list. God works always. He hears our prayers. He does not always act in the way we pray for. I trust Him better than I trust myself. After all, He created the goldfish with the 3 second memory.

Gotta' go scratch my arm now!

But not while driving!